WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Philippine Embassy today called on members of the Filipino-American Community in the United States who are registered as overseas voters to exercise their right to vote in next month’s national elections in the Philippines.

In a statement, Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia urged the almost 85,000 Filipino and Filipino-American overseas voters across the US to actively participate in the 13 May election for members of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

“We call on our kababayans here in the United States to make a difference by helping ensure that we only send the best people to represent us in Congress,” Ambassador Cuisia said. “We urge you to exercise your right to choose the kind of people we want to lead us.”

Although the voting period for overseas voters is from 13 April to 13 May, Ambassador Cuisia strongly encouraged voters to mail their ballots as soon as they receive these in the mail.

“For those who want to personally cast their ballots, we will make available for them a ballot reception box at the Consular Section of the Embassy where they could cast their votes until 7 a.m. on May 13,” Ambassador Cuisia said.

He added that voters registered with the Embassy as well as those in the Philippine Consulates General in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Honolulu and Guam, will be receiving their voting packets by mail. The packets, he said, contain, among others, the official ballot that voters have to mail to the Foreign Service posts where they are registered.

On Wednesday, the Embassy conducted its first Talakayan sa Embahada forum where Consul Arlene Magno explained the overseas voting process to members of the Filipino Community who were in attendance.

Consul Magno said registered voters who were disenfranchised after failing to vote in the 2007 and 2010 elections will be allowed to vote by personally appearing at the Embassy and other US posts where they are registered until 4 a.m. of 13 May.

Voters who still have not received their voting packets are requested to check the certified voters lists posted in the websites of the Embassy and the Consulates General in the US. ###